e will rest. Manikawan will prepare for him
his nabwe (stew) and make for him warm garments from the skin of the
atuk."

Without further preliminary or adieu, she lifted her canoe upon her
head and disappeared as unexpectedly as she had appeared.

XV

THE PASSING OF THE WILD THINGS

It was already too late in the season to attempt further distribution
of supplies with the canoe. Therefore, the boat and canoe were carried
to a safe distance above the river, and a shelter of logs erected over
them, that they might not be crushed under the weight of snow
presently to come.

Two days later the lakes were clogged with ice, and a week later the
first fall of snow that was to remain throughout the winter fell to a
depth of several inches.

Then came an interval of waiting, but not of idleness, for Ungava Bob
or Ed Matheson. Their new tilts were unsupplied with stretching boards
for furs and many other necessities, in the preparation of which they
occupied themselves at the river tilt, while the others lent a hand;
though nearly every day Dick Blake or Bill Campbell accompanied Shad
on hunting expeditions which resulted in keeping the larder well
supplied with geese, ducks--now in their southward flight--ptarmigans,
and an occasional porcupine.

The birds were all fat and in splendid condition. The ptarmigans, now
changing their mottled brown-and-white coat for the pure white plumage
of winter, were gathered into large flocks, and easily had. A
considerable number were killed with the first blast of frosty
weather, and, together with a few ducks and geese, stored where they
would freeze and keep sweet for future use.

With the last week of October active trapping began, when fur, though
not yet at its best, was in excellent condition.

With November winter fell upon the land in all its sub-Arctic rigour.
For a day and a night a blizzard raged, so blinding, so terrific, and
with the temperature so low that none dared venture out; and when the
weather cleared, the snow, grown so deep that snowshoes were essential
in travel, no longer melted under the mid-day sun.

Socks of heavy woollen duffel were now necessary to protect the feet,
and buckskin moccasins, with knee-high leggings, took the place of
sealskin boots.

In the final distribution of supplies among the tilts, long, narrow
Indian toboggans were brought into service, and the loads hauled upon
the toboggans.

Martens and foxes were the animals chiefly